The Nf-actin gene is an important factor for food-cup formation and cytotoxicity of pathogenic Naegleria fowleri

Parasitol Res. 2010 Mar;106(4):917-24. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1760-y. Epub 2010 Feb 9.

Abstract

Naegleria fowleri destroys target cells by trogocytosis, a phagocytosis mechanism, and a process of piecemeal ingestion of target cells by food-cups. Phagocytosis is an actin-dependent process that involves polymerization of monomeric G-actin into filamentous F-actin. However, despite the numerous studies concerning phagocytosis, its role in the N. fowleri food-cup formation related with trogocytosis has been poorly reported. In this study, we cloned and characterized an Nf-actin gene to elucidate the role of Nf-actin gene in N. fowleri pathogenesis. The Nf-actin gene is composed of 1,128-bp and produced a 54.1-kDa recombinant protein (Nf-actin). The sequence identity was 82% with nonpathogenic Naegleria gruberi but has no sequence identity with other mammals or human actin gene. Anti-Nf-actin polyclonal antibody was produced in BALB/c mice immunized with recombinant Nf-actin. The Nf-actin was localized on the cytoplasm, pseudopodia, and especially, food-cup structure (amoebastome) in N. fowleri trophozoites using immunofluorescence assay. When N. fowleri co-cultured with Chinese hamster ovary cells, Nf-actin was observed to localize around on phagocytic food-cups. We also observed that N. fowleri treated with cytochalasin D as actin polymerization inhibitor or transfected with antisense oligomer of Nf-actin gene had shown the reduced ability of food-cup formation and in vitro cytotoxicity. Finally, it suggests that Nf-actin plays an important role in phagocytic activity of pathogenic N. fowleri.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / physiology*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CHO Cells
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Naegleria fowleri / pathogenicity*
  • Phagocytosis*
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / physiology*
  • Pseudopodia / chemistry
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Virulence Factors / chemistry
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Virulence Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EU980397